Security Closure for a Container

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a security closure for enclosing an opening of a container includes a security lid having openings for lock tabs on the container. The lock tabs mate with openings on the combination lid by inserting and rotating the container. Lock dials are used to maintain the security lid and the container in a closed relationship.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/929,037 filed on Jun. 8, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a security closure for closing the top openingof a container to-prevent unauthorized access to the contents of thecontainer. The invention has particular utility when used to close adrinking glass, being utilized for example to prevent introduction ofdrugs or other harmful substances into a drink while the glass isunattended.

2. Description of Related Art

It is known that drugs or other harmful substances have occasionallybeen added to drinks without the knowledge of the persons consuming thedrinks. Some of these substances, including, gamma-hydroxybutyric acid(GHB) and Rohypnol (roofies), known as “date rape” drugs, have beenadded to the drinks of women in public bars to reduce the woman'sability to ward off sexual advances.

Various devices have been marketed to protect the contents of acontainer. Most often, these devices have been designed to protectagainst unauthorized removal of the container's contents rather thanprotecting against introduction of foreign substances. Also, the designof the previously marketed devices lacks ease of use to make themserviceable in the applicable settings.

By way of example U.S. Pat. No. 190,292 to Deey provides a lockingdevice for bottles. Deey includes a combination locking mechanism whichis placed over a bottle stopper to prevent removal of the stopper. Deeydoes not provide lugs for sliding an automatic locking mechanism.Therefore, Deey requires multiple actions to fully protect the contentsof the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,059,801 to Dragon provides a bottle top closure with acombination lock. The dials of the combination lock are on the same axisas the container, which limits usefulness for application to drinkingglasses. In addition, Dragon does not provide means for automaticallyengaging the lock with normal movement of the closure relative to thecontainer.

Similar to Dragon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,445,021 to Johnson provides acombination locking closure for containers. Johnson provides a lockingmechanism to prevent access to potentially harmful substances, such aspoisons. The dials are on the same axis as the container, which limitsusefulness in the realm of drinking glasses. Moreover, Johnson does notprovide for automatic lock actuation with rotation of the closure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,117 to Leopoldi provides a dial-actuated safety cap.Leopoldi provides a lid for engaging a threaded container opening. Sincethe Leopoldi mechanism comprises large dials with multiple crevices, thedevice is susceptible to soiling by fluids such as alcoholic drinks orother beverages. The threads are also uncomfortable when they arepressed against a user's lips.

U.S. Patent Application 2006/0207958 to Hamer provides a secured bottlecap for a medication bottle. Hamer provides a lid for engaging athreaded container opening, such as a medication bottle. The Hamerdevice provides many exposed moving parts—making it unlikely to functionwell as a beverage container since liquids will likely solidify freezingthe lock in position and the hard to reach parts would be difficult toclean.

In addition, there are instances in the art in which the intention wasto prevent the introduction of foreign substance into a drink. By way ofexample, U.S. Patent Application 2005/0097931 to Miller provides a drinklocking mechanism, specifically designed to act on commercialcontainers, such as beer bottles and cans. The locking mechanism engagesthe interior of the container, making it difficult to apply to adrinking glass.

British patent GB2428238 to DeAmoko provides an anti spiking drinkingvessel to prevent the spiking of a person's drink. DeAmoko discloses aone-way vessel in which the contents can be poured out, but nothing canbe added in the top. The vessel can be cleaned through a removable cap.However, the complexity of the design would make it difficult to clean.Moreover, no details are provided as to a lockable portion of theclosure.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,346 to Gurnard provides a security closurefor a container. Gurnard describes a closure with a plurality offlexible independently movable skirt portion segments. The Gurnardpatent shows multiple parts which would be difficult to assemble anddisassemble by a person in a bar or club. Moreover, the Gurnard designdoes not provide a locking latch which is activated by the relativerotation between the container and the closure making it difficult touse.

What is needed is a container and security closure that protects theuser from harm, yet is simple to operate and clean.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a security closurefor a container which selectively encloses an opening of a container.The security closure includes a lock set that is integral with thesecurity closure. The lock set has multiple dials with numbers, lettersor other indicia imprinted on the outer periphery of each dial. Eachdial has a hidden keyway which corresponds to one of the outer imprintedindicia. In operation, an owner that knows the combination to thesecurity closure can rotate each dial until the correct permutation isreached. The owner can then attach or detach the security closure fromthe container while the lock set is unlocked. While attached to thecontainer, the security closure is sealed such that a pressuredifferential can be maintained. When the owner removes the closure, heor she must rotate approximately ¼ turn, during which the seal is brokenand the interior of the container can gradually vent.

There has thus been outlined the more important features of theinvention in order that the detailed description thereof that followsmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and which will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In as much as theforegoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and importantfeatures of the present invention in order that the detailed descriptionof the invention that follows may be better understood so that thepresent contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated.Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter whichform the subject of the claims of the invention. It should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and thedisclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as abasis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out thesame purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in theappended claims.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide asecurity closure for a container which prevents unauthorized access tothe contents of the container.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a securityclosure for a container that is lightweight, durable and inexpensive tomanufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a securityclosure for a container that is manufactured such that each securityclosure can be made with random unlocking combinations which willindividually be known only to the purchaser or owner.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a security closurefor a container that seals the container contents and can maintain apressure differential between interior of the container the exterioratmosphere.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a securityclosure for a container that safely vents the interior of the containeras the owner removes the security closure from the container.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a securityclosure for a container that must be visibly damaged in order to gainunauthorized access to the container contents.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a securityclosure for a container that is easily locked and unlocked by the owner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a securityclosure for a container that can be cleaned by conventional dish andglass washing methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated through consideration of theaccompanying drawings and the detailed description following, in whichlike reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the security closure and the container.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the security closure assembled tothe container.

FIG. 3 a shows the latch in the locked position with the dials rotatedto allow the latch to move into the unlocked position.

FIG. 3 b shows the latch in the unlocked position.

FIG. 4 a shows section A-A from FIG. 2. In FIG. 4 a, the securityclosure has just been placed on the container, and twisting has not yetbegun.

FIG. 4 b shows section A-A from FIG. 2. In FIG. 4 b, the securityclosure has been placed on the container and fully twisted to engage andmove the latch to the locked position.

FIG. 5 a shows section B-B from FIG. 2 with only the security closureshown.

FIG. 5 b shows section C-C from FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention wherein thelugs of the container are moved away from the rim of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the security closure and thecontainer are shown. A security closure 1 has a disk 35 attached to thetop of the security closure 1 via adhesive, sonic welding, snap fit,hook and loop, or any other known permanent or non-permanent attachmentmeans. The disk 35 has a disk printing surface 36 which can be printedwith advertisements, logos, or name of an owner. In addition, thesecurity closure 1 has a concealed printed surface 4 which is covered bythe disk 35. The concealed printed surface 4 can contain informationnecessary to retrieve vital information related to the security closure1.

The security closure 1 has an apron portion 8 and a lock housing 29which contains a lock set 10, or the lock. The lock set 10 has a firstdial 16, a second dial 17, a third dial 18, and a latch 11.(Hereinafter, the first dial 16, the second dial 17, and the third dial18 can be collectively referred to as the dials.) The first dial 16, andthe second dial 17, and the third dial 18 spin freely and independentlyinside the lock housing 29, when manually manipulated by the owner. Thelatch 11 moves freely in a radial path 7. The radial path 7 is around acontainer central axis 6, or vertical axis, and has tangents defined bythe rotational axes of the first dial 16, the second dial 17, and thethird dial 18.

A container 2 has an inside surface 14, an outside surface 15, a base24; and is shown resting on a support 25. As seen in the preferredembodiment the container 2 is shown with a first lug 21, a second lug22, and a third lug 23 arranged about an upper rim 5, or lip, on theupper edge of the outside surface 15. (Hereinafter, the first lug 21,the second lug 22, and the third lug 23 can be collectively referred toas the lugs or the protrusions.) The width of the first lug 21 can bedifferent from the width of the second lug 22, and the width of thesecond lug 22 can be different from the width of the third lug 23. Inaddition, the angle between the first lug 21 and the second lug 22 whenmeasured from the container central axis 6 can be different from theangle between the second lug 22 and the third lug 23 when measured fromthe container central axis 6.

A gasket 37 is provided to seal the contact interface between thesecurity closure 1 and the upper rim 5 of the container 2. The gasket 37is preferably attached to the security closure 1 by snap fitting,adhesive or other known permanent or non-permanent attachment means. Thegasket 37 can be fashioned from rubber, elastomer, or other resilientmaterial known creating liquid or gas pressure seals.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the security closure 1 is shown fully assembledand attached to the container 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a-b, the lock set 10 is shown in the lockedposition in FIG. 3 a, and in the unlocked position in FIG. 3 b.Referring to FIG. 3 a, the first dial 16 has a dial keyway 19 whichextends through the first dial 16. In addition, the first dial 16 hasmultiple combination number 20 inscribed or printed on the outercylinder of the first dial 16. The second dial 17 and the third dial 18also have the dial keyway 19, however the dial keyway 19 can locateddifferently in relation to the combination number 20 of the second dial17 or the third dial 18. In this fashion, if each of the dials in thelock set 10 has ten combination number 20, then one thousand differentpermutations are possible, while only one permutation will correspondwith the unlocked position.

Still referring to FIG. 3 a, the latch 11 has a latch dog 12 and adiscontinuous elongated protrusion 13. As seen, the discontinuouselongated protrusion 13 is disengaged from the dial keyway 19 of thefirst dial 16, the second dial 17, and the third dial 18. Therefore, thedials can spin freely about their respective central axes.

Referring now to FIG. 3 b, the latch 11 is slid through the dials, andthe discontinuous elongated protrusion 13 engages the dial keyway 19. Inthe unlocked position shown in FIG. 3 b, the first dial 16, the seconddial 17, and the third dial 18 can spin freely about their respectiverotational axes.

As seen in FIGS. 3 a-b, the lock set 10 can be manipulated to theunlocked position by dialing seven-zero-three on the third dial 18, thesecond dial 17, and the first dial 16, respectively. It is to beunderstood that the dial keyway 19 could be relocated any of the dialsto produce different unlocking combinations.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-b, section A-A from FIG. 2 is shown for thefirst assembly step in FIG. 4 a and the second assembly step in FIG. 4b. The first lug 21, the second lug 22, and the third lug 23 areattached to the container 2. The security closure 1 has a circular rim30. The circular rim 30 has multiple lug openings which are called afirst opening 26, a second opening 27, and a third opening 28.

In operation, the owner lowers the security closure 1 toward thecontainer 2 with the first lug 21 aligned with the first opening 26, andthe second lug 22 aligned with the second opening 27, and the third lug23 aligned with the third opening 28. Once the security closure 1contacts the container 2, the owner then turns the security closure 1clockwise by between 10-170 degrees until the first lug 21, the secondlug 22 and the third lug 23 contact one or more rim nub 31. Each of therim nub 31 are attached to the circular rim 30 and provide for rampingof the security closure 1 toward the container 2 in order to compressthe gasket 37 and seal the container 2 with the security closure 1. Theowner continues to rotate the security closure 1 clockwise byapproximately five degrees. During the clockwise rotation, the third lug23 contacts the latch dog 12, which causes the latch 11 to move from theposition shown in FIG. 3 b to the position shown in FIG. 3 a. In theposition shown in FIG. 3 a, the latch dog 12 occludes second opening 27in the locked position, and thereby prevents the second lug 22, and, byassociation, the first lug 21 and the third lug 23, from registeringwith the respective openings. As a final step in assembly, the owner canthen rotate the first dial 16, or the second dial 17, or the third dial18 to lock the security closure 1 to the container 2.

To remove the container, the owner can dial the correct combination onthe first dial 16, and the second dial 17, and the third dial 18. Nextthe owner can rotate the security closure 1 counter clockwise byapproximately five degrees, which will remove contact between the firstlug 21, the second lug 22, the third lug 23 and the respective rim nub31, thereby breaking the seal between the security closure 1 and thecontainer 2. Next, the owner will rotate the security closure 1 counterclockwise by between 10-170 degrees, during which time the gas pressuredifferential between the container inside and outside will be removed byslow venting. Finally, the second lug 22 will contact the latch dog 12,causing the latch 11 to be moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 a tothe position shown in FIG. 3 b. The owner can then move the securityclosure 1 along the container central axis 6 to complete disengagement.

Assuring that the same combination will not permit access to allcontainers is taken care of during the manufacture of the securityclosure. The dials are identical in overall design. However the dialswill each be manufactured with as many angularly positioned dial keywaysas there are symbols on the periphery of the dials. A random combinationfor opening each lock is provided by randomly picking the dials for eachlock. A lock with 10 symbols on its periphery and three such dials ineach lock will produce 999 permutations of combinations to lock thelocks.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a-b, as seen the discontinuous elongatedprotrusion 13 engages the dial keyway 19 when the security closure 1 isunlocked. In addition, the rim nub 31, which is located on the circularrim 30, ramps the second lug 22 as the security closure 1 twists aroundthe container central axis 6 of the container 2. The ramping effectcauses the container 2 to move toward the security closure 1, whichcompresses the gasket 37 against the upper rim 5.

Referring now to FIG. 6 a second embodiment of the present invention isshown. The second lug 22, and the first lug 21 (not shown) and the thirdlug 23 (not shown) are below the upper rim 5 to provide easier drinkingfrom the container 2. Corresponding to the lowered lugs, the circularrim 30 of the security closure 1 is lowered to mate with the loweredlugs.

In addition to lowering the lugs down the container, the inventor alsoenvisions placing the lugs inside the container, and moving the lock setto the top of the security closure. Moreover, although a conical shapeddrinking container has been shown in the preferred embodiment, theinventor also envisions larger containers for holding items such ashandguns, blueprints, or other items which should be locked away. Forthese types of applications, the container could have cubicle,cylindrical, pyramid or other shapes that meet a circular upper rim. Inaddition, the container and security closure could be considerablylarger. For example, the container could resemble a 25 gallon refusecontainer.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and to the arrangements ofthe components set forth in the preceding description or illustrated inthe drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed and a carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

1. A security closure system for preventing unauthorized access to acontents of a container comprising: the container having a surface madeup of an outside surface and an inside surface for holding the contentsand a base, wherein: the container rests on the base when setting on asupport, a lip surrounding an upper edge of the container, one or moreprotrusions extend outward from the surface of the container, a securityclosure that rests against the lip of the container, an apron portion ofthe closure that extends downward adjacent to the outside surface of thecontainer, a lock that cooperates with the one or more protrusions toprevent the unauthorized access to the contents of the container.
 2. Thesecurity closure system of claim 1 wherein: the lock is a combinationlock having one or more dials and a latch.
 3. The security closuresystem of claim 2 wherein: the rotational axes of the one or more dialsof the combination lock are orthogonal and non-intersecting with avertical axis of the container.
 4. The security closure system of claim2 wherein: the combination lock is secured by contact of the latch withone of the one or more protrusions,
 5. The security closure system ofclaim 3 wherein: the latch of the combination lock is set in the lockedposition by contact with one of the one or more protrusions.
 6. Thesecurity closure system of claim 2 wherein: the security closure ismoveable to release pressure without unlocking the security closure, 7.The security closure system of claim 1 wherein: the one or moreprotrusions are located half an inch or more below the lip such that theone or more protrusions would not interfere with drinking from an entireperiphery of the lip,
 8. The security closure system of claim 1 wherein:the security closure is adapted for attachment of a disk for carryingindicia,
 9. The security closure system of claim 1 wherein: the securityclosure is adapted to disengage the one or more protrusions by arelative twisting action between the security closure and the container,wherein the one or more protrusions of the security closure havecooperating one or more openings in the apron portion
 10. The securityclosure system of claim 1 wherein: the lock is located on the apronportion of the security closure.
 11. A method of operation of a securityclosure system comprising the steps: registering one or more protrusionson a lip of a container with one or more openings on an apron portion ofa security closure. moving the security closure and the gasket towardthe lip of the container until the gasket contacts the lip and thesecurity closure twisting the security closure with respect to thecontainer until one of the one or more protrusions contacts a latch of alock, twisting the security closure in the same direction until twistingmotion is stopped wherein the twisting motion will slide the latch ofthe lock to a locked position, wherein the locked position of the latchoccludes access of one of the one or more protrusions of the containerwith one of the one or more openings on the apron portion of thesecurity closure. turning one or more dials of lock, wherein the turningof the one or more dials blocks the latch of the lock from sliding. 12.A security closure system for preventing unauthorized access to acontents of a container comprising: the container having a surface madeup of an outside surface and an inside surface for holding the contentsand a base, wherein: the container rests on the base when setting on asupport, a lip surrounding an upper edge of the container, one or moreprotrusions extend outward from the surface of the container, a securityclosure that rests against the lip of the container, an apron portion ofthe closure that extends downward adjacent to the outside surface of thecontainer, a lock that cooperates with the one or more protrusions toprevent the unauthorized access to the contents of the container. 13.The security closure system of claim 1 wherein: the lock is a lockhaving a latch.
 14. The security closure system of claim 2 wherein: theaxis of the latch is orthogonal and non-intersecting with a verticalaxis of the container,
 15. The security closure system of claim 2wherein: the lock is secured by contact of the latch with one of the oneor more protrusions,
 16. The security closure system of claim 3 wherein:the latch is set in the locked position by contact with one of the oneor more protrusions,
 17. The security closure system of claim 2 wherein:the security closure is moveable to release pressure without unlockingthe security closure,
 18. The security closure system of claim 1wherein: the one or more protrusions are located half an inch or morebelow the lip such that the one or more protrusions would not interferewith drinking from an entire periphery of the lip,
 19. The securityclosure system of claim 1 wherein: the security closure is adapted todisengage the one or more protrusions by a relative twisting actionbetween the security closure and the container, wherein the one or moreprotrusions of the security closure have cooperating one or moreopenings in the apron portion
 20. The security closure system of claim 1wherein: the lock is located on the apron portion of the securityclosure.